In 2010, I returned to Christ and his church after having lived an active gay lifestyle for over 12 years (starting in High School). Since then I have experienced major healing and significant reduction in same-sex-attraction through Prayer, Daily Mass, Reparative Therapy, and emotional healing. Every aspect of my life is better and improving every day. I am also glad to be part of a great new ministry called Joel 2:25 http://www.Joel225.org

This plank is critical to protecting religious freedom and our first amendment rights. These rights are currently under assault by a small group of activists using misinformation and lies to convince Democrats and some Republicans to ban "conversion therapy for minors."The first assault on freedom in this case was this law which passed in California: Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN): "California Bans Gay Teen Conversion Therapy"This same misguided and unconstitutional law was then passed in NJ and IL - where it was pushed by Democrats with the help of several misinformed Republican lawmakers including "Republican" governors Chris Christie and Bruce Rauner (who still claim to be "pro-life, pro-marriage, and pro-family")The same bill was introduced last session in the Texas legislature and added to the Democratic Party of Texas platform as one of their legislative priorities. These laws are clearly unconstitutional since it attacks freedom of speech and belief. There is not a separate modality of therapy for "conversion." The difference between this and secular "pro-gay" therapy is the beliefs and values of the individual and their therapist. This is an attack on the right of individuals to hold views that are different from the modern "gay" construct. As several gay activists have openly said, they want to make it a crime for anyone to say that homosexuality is "anything other than a normal healthy variant of human sexuality." As I explained in my previous post, this is philosophical difference. I am not arguing with their right to believe in Social Constructionism, but my own faith and my own life experiences have proven to me that there is a God and he has a plan for my life - which is much different from theirs. I know hundreds of individuals at all ages who feel the same way and we have a right to our beliefs and to operate ministries and therapy practices to support those who are self-motivated to purse this path. If you or anyone else has any question about this plank and/or would like more information, please contact me at: Jeremy@Joel225.orgThank you,Jeremy SchwabSenate District 12 / Denton County